NHS Eye Examination

Regular eye tests are an essential part of managing your vision and general health

We all know the importance of healthy eyesight whether we are young or old which is why we recommend a regular eye test every two years or sooner dependent on the advice of your Optometrist. An eye test not only examines your vision but also provides a vital health check for your eyes and general health.

The NHS will provide a basic eye test free of charge to certain eligible groups.

Enhanced NHS Eye Examination

With the advances in technology, Optometrists can now examine the eye in far greater detail. Our Enhanced NHS Eye Examination includes the NHS sight test but also extra tests which we believe are essential for carrying out a comprehensive eye examination. An OCT 3D retinal scan is performed as well as retinal photography both of which examine the eye in greater detail and provide a visual record of any subtle changes in the eye. Ultimately, this builds a more complete profile of your vision and allows us to offer eye care to a higher clinical standard.

The NHS does not fund an OCT scan or retinal photography so the top up fee for our Enhanced NHS Eye Examination fee is £49 for adults or £29 for 19-25 year olds. Children under the NHS will be provided the necessary upgrades free of charge.

You are entitled to a free NHS eye test if you are:

  • Under 16 or under 19 still in full time education
  • Aged 60 or over (from age 60-70 the entitlement is one test every 24 months and over 70 it is one test every 12 months)
  • Registered blind or partially sighted
  • Diagnosed as having diabetes or glaucoma
  • 40 or over with a first degree relative with glaucoma, or you have been advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of glaucoma
  • Prescribed a complex lens over plus or minus 10 diopters or over 6 diopters of astigmatism

You are also entitled to a free NHS eye test if you are receiving the following benefits or credits:

  • Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (not contribution based)
  • Income related Employment and Support Allowance (not contribution based)
  • Working Tax Credit and are named on a Tax Credit NHS Exemption Certificate
  • Child Tax Credit and are named on a Tax Credit NHS Exemption Certificate
  • You are named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
  • Prisoners on leave from prison
  • If you are named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3), you may get some help towards the cost of your eye test. Kindly bring in your certificate and we will be pleased to advise.

You will be asked to show proof of your entitlement to free NHS eye tests. Please bring the relevant documentation with you.

  • Aged under 16: NHS Medical Card/Current Child Benefit Award Notice/Passport/Birth Certificate
  • Aged 16, 17 or 18 in full-time education: Current Child Benefit Award Notice/Birth Certificate/Passport and Letter from your school, college or your local education authority to prove that you are a full-time student
  • Aged 60 or over: NHS Medical Card/Driving Licence/Passport/Birth Certificate/State Retirement Pension Order Book
  • Registered Blind or Partially Sighted: Local Authority Certificate of Registration
  • Suffering from diabetes: Out-patients Appointment Card/Repeat Prescriptions Card/Record of Blood Sugar Readings
  • Suffering from glaucoma or considered to be at risk of glaucoma: Letter from GP or your hospital eye clinic
  • Aged 40 or over with a first degree relative with glaucoma: NHS Medical Card/Driving Licence/Passport/Birth Certificate
  • Proof of Income Support: Income Support Order Book
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance: Employment and Support Allowance Award Notice
  • Prisoners on leave from prison: Licence provided on release of custody
  • Proof of Working Families’ Tax Credit and Disabled Person’s Tax Credit from Inland Revenue
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance or Low Income: HC2 or HC3 Certificate
  • Pension Credit Guaranteed Credit

Help towards the cost of Glasses or Contact Lenses

Certain groups of people, such as children and those with complex prescriptions, are eligible for help towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses and therefore will be entitled to a GOS3 voucher.  We will be able to advise you if this is the case.

We have a selected range of complete glasses, including lenses, which can be purchased with your GOS3 voucher.  Alternatively, you may wish to choose frames from our other collections and use your GOS3 voucher entitlement so that you just pay the difference between your voucher value and the price of the goods.